The Degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy can be earned through full-time or part-time study. Area of department specialization include: Social Theory; Sociology of Culture; Criminology; Environmental Sociology; Social Inequality; Sociology of Gender; Sexuality; Health, including Occupational Health; Development; Work; Political Sociology; and Maritime Sociology. Graduate courses are taught as tutorials or small seminars.

8.21.1 Program of Study

Minimum admission requirements are a B average in undergraduate studies with a good undergraduate background in Sociology.

The M.A. Degree with thesis requires the completion of 15 credit hours in graduate courses, normally including the Sociology Graduate Seminar (6880), Advanced Quantitative Methods (6040), Advanced Qualitative Methods (6041), Social Theory (6150), one elective, and a thesis. In the case of full-time students, the M.A. with thesis is normally completed in two years. The first year is devoted to the completion of the required courses and the definition of the thesis research topic. The second year is devoted to the completion of the thesis and presentation of the thesis at a Department seminar.

The M.A. Degree by Master’s Research Paper requires the completion of 24 credit hours, normally including the Graduate Seminar (6880), Advanced Quantitative Methods (6040), Advanced Qualitative Methods (6041), Social Theory (6150), two electives, and the Master's Research Paper (6900). The coursework should be taken during the first two semesters of full-time study. The Master’s Research Paper (Sociology 6900) should be written in the third semester of full-time study. The Master’s Research Paper will be supervised by a faculty member and must be presented at a Departmental seminar. The Supervisor and one other member of the Department will grade the Master’s Research Paper.

8.21.2 Courses

A selection of the following graduate courses will be offered to meet the requirements of candidates, as far as the resources of the Department will allow.